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Aloha PhiloSurfer!
We’re back for the final heat of our 3-week surfari through the ever-changing beach breaks of lies.
Our surf started with Immanuel Kant’s unwavering commitment to truth.
Kant’s belief in absolute, perfect duty demands that we always tell the truth.
While that categorical cold-water approach keeps things crystal clear, it can also harsh the mellow vibe.
Next, we rode the waves with John Stuart Mill, the utilitarian bro.
Mill’s philosophy aims to maximize overall happiness, focusing on outcomes rather than intentions.
This pragmatic approach sometimes justifies “white lies” that positively impact happiness.
Yet, it doesn’t cover all situations, leaving us questioning where to draw the line between clever moral justifications and selfish excuses.
So this week we’re looking for a middle break with Aristotle and his virtue ethics.
The ancient Greek guru wasn’t as focused on single acts as on overall character.
His ethics are not founded on duties or rights, human dignity or happiness, but on something way more personal: purpose.
For Aristotle, living an ethical life is about self-improvement to reach your unique human potential.
It’s all about seeking your purpose to be your best self, not just doing seemingly right things without intention. And developing good character traits like honesty, courage, and wisdom along the way.
‘Cos virtue is the highest good. The only thing we should pursue. It serves as the yardstick for our actions.
- If an action is virtuous and makes us better individuals, it’s worth doing.
- If an action moves you away from, not toward, human excellence, then it’s wrong.
Generally speaking, Aristotle suggests lying is immoral when it prevents us from becoming the best versions of ourselves.
But it allows for grey areas, like lying out of compassion. Not to maximize happiness, as Mill proposed. But to self-actualize ourselves in our purpose.
So the new question is:
Can lying help us be the best versions of ourselves?
So, there can be some debate about lying in pursuit of another virtue beyond honesty, like compassion.
But honestly, can you achieve one virtue without achieving them all?
Food for thought for the week.
In my personal view, virtue ethisc a middle ground between a too-strict Kantian perspective and a too-loose utilitarian one.
Excellence of character is the ultimate goal. If you achieve it, all the virtues, duties & happiness will come with it.
For Aristotle, you have to strive to become the board shape that our soul is designed after.
TL;DR
Lying is always wrong.
Reflect before bending the truth.
If you find yourself in a case where you believe a lie might be a better way than telling the truth, ask yourself these questions:
- What would Kant demand?
- What would Mill recommend?
- What would Aristotle say?
Cowabunga and swells of wisdom to all!
PS. Here it is the SECOND EDITION of my
PHILOSOPHICAL SOUL THERAPY COURSE
I have created a course on How Philosophy Can Soothe Your Soul in 5 modules:
- Introduction: The power of self-knowledge (Socratic life coaching)
- Module 1: How to deal with anxiety like a Stoic thinker (or a big-wave surfer)
- Module 2: How to manage expectations like a Cynic guru (or a soul surfer)
- Module 3: How to fulfill your purpose like a Peripatetic student (or a pro surfer)
- Module 4: How to be happy like an Epicurean virtuoso (or a stoked kook)
- Module 5: How to live in harmony like a Taoist master (or a smooth longboarder)
- Bonus: How to face death like an Existentialist intellectual (or a solo surfer)
Starts on January 2024.
3 weeks.
2 groups:
Group 1: Tuesdays & Thursdays.
Group 2: Saturdays & Sundays.
90’ sessions.
Only 12 seats ava¡lable in each group.
Use the EARLY15 coupon for a 15% discount until November 15th.
Additional recommendations:
- “How to Be Perfect” by Michael Schur: This thought-provoking book by the creator of “The Good Place” explores what it means to be a good person. It delves into moral philosophy and the concept of perfection, offering insights and discussions that connect with Mill’s ideas.
- “Consolations of Philosophy” by Alain de Botton – Engage with De Botton’s thought-provoking exploration of philosophical ideas as sources of comfort and guidance. Specifically, delve into his discussion on Epicurean philosophy and its emphasis on friendship as a crucial component of a happy and meaningful life.
- “A History of Western Philosophy” by Bertrand Russell – Bertrand Russell’s classic work provides a comprehensive overview of the development of Western philosophy from its origins in ancient Greece to the 20th century. This engaging and accessible book offers insights into the major philosophical ideas and thinkers that have shaped the Western intellectual tradition.
- “Nicomachean Ethics” by Aristotle – This philosophical treatise addresses the nature of human well-being and the virtues that lead to a fulfilling life. It explores concepts such as moral virtue, friendship, and the pursuit of eudaimonia (flourishing), providing a framework for ethical living and self-improvement.
- “Caught Inside” by Daniel Duane – This book delves into the world of surfing, offering insights into its culture, history, and the spiritual aspects of riding waves. It combines personal narratives with reflections on the deeper meanings of surfing, making it a thought-provoking exploration of the sport’s impact on identity and life.